Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Younge.
Sherry, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Being a young Filipina and raised by a mother who had owned her own pharmacy in the Philippines, I had always been encouraged to go into the medical field but I knew inside this was not the right path for me. I had always loved the art of hairdressing and would create large intricate up-do’s for my younger sisters when they would go to school dances. When my friends and I would go out dancing they would all gather at my place so I could do their hair. It was my mother who first took notice of how much I loved styling hair and the creativity I would put into it.
Despite knowing the challenges of being a business owner herself, she began to encourage me to go cosmetology school because she believed I had the potential to one day own my own salon and be very successful. My mother and sister teamed together to help me pay for my cosmetology school under the condition that I also attend business school to learn how to properly run a successful business. I am proud to say I have been a licensed Cosmetologist for 21 years owning and operating my own salon The Artform Studio. My space is unique in that it doubles as my husband Adrian Younge’s vinyl record boutique. Together we keep beauty and melody harmonious to our lifestyle.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Owning your own business definitely comes with its share of challenges! Location should definitely be top of the list when looking to start any business. We had to move locations to have better growth opportunities for ourselves and our team. Our new location in Highland Park gives us more visibility to potential customers and clientele.
Businesses are not built on their own. I have learned that it takes a strong team to build with you! Team building requires encouraging others to believe in themselves so that everyone can move forward together as a team. In the beginning, it was not easy finding the right people, but I am happy to say I have found them along the way. I am grateful for my business partners Adrian Younge, who operates and curates our record store, Andrew Lojero, who curates our books and plans our special events, my Artform hairstylist team Sherri Silva, Amanda Brown, and Nicolette Tereshko, all women who love what they do, and my assistant managers Jazmin Hicks and Amanda Wright, who help us manage the day to day activities.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the The Artform Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
The Artform Studio is a hybrid hair salon and record store. Being surrounded by vinyl record covers and vintage equipment and hair tools gives our studio a welcoming sleek ambiance. We play vinyl records all day long creating a warm audible environment for clients getting their hair done. Our shop also carries books on music on art which are curated by Andrew Lojero of ArtDontSleep. We host book signings and special events with authors and musicians. We are the only one of our kind in all of Los Angeles!
I pride myself on making my clients happy. I love working on all textures of hair and specialize in designing haircuts and hair color techniques that last. Our team of hairstylists continues to train and educate each other to collectively be better at our craft. We hold hair education workshops for licensed hairstylists. Education is essential in the hair industry for keeping up with modern trends and techniques.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I once read “the more you work, the luckier you get!” I am a big believer in this sentiment both in business and personal matters. I was always taught to find joy in the work that you do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5611 N. Figueroa St. Suite 2
Los Angeles, CA 90042 - Website: www.theartformstudio.com
- Phone: 2136131050
- Email: info@theartformstudio.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_artform_studio
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/artformla
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/artformstudiola
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-artform-studio-los-angeles
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